Liberia: “National Development Agenda, Framework Papers Key for National Growth”

The Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Management, Augustus J. Flomo, says the National Development Agenda and framework papers in partnership with the United Nations and development partners are key to national growth when all parties are involved with actions and implementation.

He made the disclosure at the launch of the ongoing stakeholders and development partners first Joint sectoral portfolio review meeting in partnership with the United Nations and Development Partners on Monday, June 19, 2023, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, the oldest Congo town.

The goal is to assess the country's program from Fiscal year 2018 to 2023 in terms of project implementation, project completion, and associated constraints, as well as to foster better coordination between the Government of Liberia and Development Partners Country Offices in Liberia, and to encourage a partnership approach to development through joint strategies in accordance with international best practices.

Flomo thanked all development partners for their continuous support toward Liberia's development agenda across various sectors of the economy, including Health, Energy, Agriculture, climate change, education, and Human resources development.

According to him, the first joint review today marks a big movement in all development cooperation journeys, looking at critical development issues we want to change, where some of those issues are, and how to position them for the future.

"The first joint review today marks a big movement in all development cooperation journeys, looking at critical development issues we want to change, where some of those issues are, and how to position them for the future,’’ he explains. "However, let us always reflect on our development mission by thinking about driving development for inclusive and sustainable growth and development. Currently we are not looking for a literature text book where many of us have read all the text book, it is now for the action part."

He noted that all stakeholders and actors need to come to the table to build a robust framework paper, put serious actions into it, and be able to change Liberia's story from good to excellent.

Flomo added, "Thanks to the United Nations and development partners for their continuous support whenever we are in need, they come to our rescue. The United Nations is always ready to support the government 's development agenda and is flexible to realign programs for development."

For her part, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Christine N. Umutoni, extended thanks to the government for organizing such an event and said this dialogue is a big milestone towards better coordination for development cooperation in the country because it brings actors across all sectors.

According to her, it is refreshing to have all partners across the table, and, more Flomo added, "Thanks to the United Nations and development partners for their continuous support whenever we are in need, they come to our rescue.
The United Nations is always ready to support the government 's development agenda and is flexible to realign programs for development."

For her part, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Christine N. Umutoni, extended thanks to the government for organizing such an event and said this dialogue is a big milestone towards better coordination for
development cooperation in the country because it brings actors across all sectors.

According to her, it is refreshing to have all partners across the table and, more importantly to see the government in the driver's seat. The review is an importing part of the implementation of the national development plan, as is
expressed in the actions for prosperity and development.

However, this portfolio review will complement the ongoing work we are doing in the government at different levels and the importance of national ownership of the development agenda with a strong critical coordination for transparency.

‘’To review will complement the ongoing work we are doing in the government at different levels and the importance of national ownership of the development agenda with a strong critical coordination for transparency’’ she added.

 to see the government in the driver's seat. The review is an importing part of the implementation of the national development plan, as is expressed in the actions for prosperity and development.

However, this portfolio review will complement the ongoing work we are doing in the government at different levels and the importance of national ownership of the development agenda with a strong critical coordination for transparency.

‘’To review will complement the ongoing work we are doing in the government at different levels and the importance of national ownership of the development agenda with a strong critical coordination for transparency’’ she added.

The week-long review seeks to facilitate a high-level policy and program dialogue to review the performance of each budget sector, identify gaps, issues, and improve the implementation of agreed programs in the sectors under Development Partners funded initiatives and the interlink with the government.

To improve coordination in DPs’ financed programs/projects and to provide a forum for the exchange of experiences and information across all sectors.

To strengthen AMCU’s ability to provide effective aid coordination through enhancement of data collection towards “Liberia rising 2030”.

To discuss sectoral achievements and future collaboration meant to improve development cooperation.

The ceremony is currently ongoing with the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Christine N. Umutoni, Development Partners, EU, USAID, AfDB, Word Bank, the Deputy Minister for Economic Management, Augustus J. Flomo, Civil Society Organizations, Government Ministers, Directors, and a special secretariat team set up from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning along with the United Nations, and is expected to climax on June 28.